St. Louis Rams Need Increased Production From Running Game to Beat San Francisco 49ers

By Andrew Fisher

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Rams currently sit at 1-2 with a huge game awaiting them on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Before the season began, no one predicted that the 49ers would also be 1-2, but that’s how things have played out so far in 2013. So given both teams’ losing records, it’s the clear that the loser of this Thursday Night Football game will be in trouble moving forward.

The Rams have a few things going for them, despite the fact that they were blown out by the Dallas Cowboys just a few days ago. First and foremost, they’re playing at home. Secondly, the 49ers are really banged up and reeling from two convincing losses. The oddsmakers still have San Fran taking care of business, but in my book, this is anyone’s game.

For the Rams to have a real chance at victory on Thursday night, they’ll need to get increased production from their running game. Thus far, it’s basically been non-existent. Through three games, the St. Louis running backs have only accumulated 171 yards on the ground. Comparatively, their opponents have rushed for 315 yards. Daryl Richardson is the Rams’ leading rusher with 98 yards on the season, but that’s about what the team needs out of him Thursday to beat the 49ers.

If Richardson and the other backs can get it going on the ground, which will be no easy task against the 49ers, I like the Rams to win this game. A respectable rushing attack will open things up for Sam Bradford and the passing attack, which should allow them to put up enough points to outscore the downward-trending 49ers’ offense.